First Year

Our students are given the opportunity to study 17 subjects in their first year at the Sacred Heart School. Will the optional subjects being delivered for half the year each, giving the students a sample of all subjects before making their choice in May of 1st yr.

First Year Mandatory:

All students in first year do the following subjects for the full year.

Irish

English

Maths

CSPE (Civic, Social, Political Education)

SPHE

PE

RE Studies

Choir, Reading Class (Library)

Geography

History

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS …studied for half the year on a rotational basis

Music

Business

Science

History

Geography

Art

Home Economics

Career Guidance

Optional

Options Menu is provided to allow students time to experience all subjects so that they can make an informed choice at the end of the year.

French and German are taught for half the year to allow students choose the language they wish to study. It is usually possible for students to choose both languages if they wish.

All students will study these subjects for half the year This means that students will have the chance to experience all subjects before they choose options for 2nd year.

Digital Schoolbag

Although the Sacred Heart School has been in existence for more than 180 years in Tullamore we fully recognise that your daughters need 21st century skills to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

So it was with much excitement and anticipation that we introduced the ‘digital schoolbag’ to the incoming first year students in September 2016.

The 64GB Link tablet has replaced books and this innovative move by the school has been widely acclaimed and has proved a wonderful success for both students and parents.

The introduction of the tablet for students has dramatically altered staff and students’ access to knowledge and now learning can exceed the limitations imposed by textbooks.

Students report the enjoyment of working with specialised materials and texts and the resources provided by the e-book far exceed that of the text book.

Junior Cycle

Our students are offered a wide choice of subjects in their for their Junior Cycle they can choose from 20 subjects.

Junior Cycle

Examination subjects are available in higher and ordinary level. The Junior Certificate/Cycle exam takes place at the end of your daughter’s third year in the Sacred Heart School.

Junior Cycle Subjects (Core subjects)

Irish

English

Maths

History

Geography

Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE)

Religious Education

Language (French or German)

Reading

Information Technology

Choir

The following subjects are offered to all students for half the year on a rotation basis

Art

History

Geography

Home Economics

Science

Business

Music

Career Guidance

Modern foreign languages ( French and German)

Senior Cycle

Students have to select seven subjects for the two year Leaving Certificate programme from a choice of 20 subjects. Irish, English and Maths are compulsory and students must choose four option subjects, one of which is a modern language.

Senior Cycle

Core subjects:

Irish (except for exemption)

English

Maths

Religion

Career Guidance

Optional (pick five):

History

Art

Music

Home Economics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Agricultural Science

Applied Maths

Business Studies

Accounting

Link Modules

Economics

French

German

Geography

Religious Studies

LCVP

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is a Senior Cycle Programme of the Department of Education and Skills, designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate (established).

The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community.

Leaving Certificate Applied

The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) is a Leaving Certificate Programme of the Department of Education and Skills. Students apply their knowledge, skills and experience to practical tasks in school, in the workplace and in the wider community.

The LCA is examined throughout year one (5th year) which gives the student an opportunity to have two thirds (66%) of the credits accrued before the final exam at the end of 6th year

ABOUT US

The Sacred Heart is an all girls Catholic secondary school located in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Set up by the Mercy Order in 1839 it is under the trust of CEIST (Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust). It is renowned for its academic prowess and offers a broad curriculum for students of all abilities.